Fight to block high-frequency trading escalates

Initiatives have been launched to counter firms that engage in 'predatory' trading

By

Tim Cave and

Tom Osborn

Updated: April 16, 2012 6:55 p.m. GMT

Trading firms anxious to attract more institutional business are gearing up to create new exchange-type platforms that will exclude high-frequency traders. The moves reflect the growing concerns of buyside investors about how the activities of high-frequency traders are hampering their ability to conduct large blocks of trades.

HFT now accounts for as much as 60% of total market activity, according to analysts.